Note from the author: Sorry this is such a short chapter, I haven't written one in ages. I just couldn't think of more to put in it, and I wanted to end it where it ends as it's a pretty good place. I have written a bit of chapter 4 already, so hopefully I'll get that done soon too. I do have exams though, so I might forget about it D:
And lo, the viper Lindzei bore fangs into the pristine soil of our Gran Pulse; despoiled the land and from it crafted a cocoon both ghastly and unclean…Ye who honour Pulse: rise unto the heavens, and cast down the viper's nest! – Author Unknown FFXIII
The temple glowed in the dim light of dawn –the ceremonial fires were lit and their flames danced wild shadows across the clutter of flowers, decorations and temple paint. Although the temple had no walls, only pillars, the trinkets that surrounded it created a thick membrane around the people inside and it seemed as though everything seem to say you're not welcome. Vanille suddenly felt intense feelings of fear, of worry and of nausea as she ascended the steps to the temple. She couldn't get a grip of her thoughts as they raced through her head; she tried to think hard but she knew that there was no way out of this situation.
Upon reaching the top the small girl began to look for her friend. Circling the outskirt of the crowd, she finally spotted Fang perched on a stone bollard near the temple stage, no doubt she wanted to be first to volunteer. The crowd was loud and buzzing with excitement, no matter how hard Vanille tried she could not raise her voice above the loud murmur of the eager audience to call out to Fang. Panic gripped her and beads of sweat began to develop on her forehead - it was too late to persuade her friend out of this. Vanille tried to call out louder this time, but still the her voice and attempts to push through were impermeable to the crowd.
There came a hush. Plasma green lights had started to descend from the sky; transfixing the villagers gaze as they stared up in awe. With its mechanical arms spread out it appeared as though it were an angel; or a crucifix ready for the next sacrifice. The metal and machinery groaned and scraped around its crystal core as the massive being settled its pointed torso onto the ground; there it balanced with it's crystal centre –as large as the temple itself- glowing green and illuminating the stunned faces of the people. The crowd were silent and wide eyed as they stood paralysed by the aura that was radiating off of their 'God'. Despite the fact that it was there everyday, protecting them from the vicious wildlife that lurked on Pulse, no one had ever come as close as this to the Fal'Cie Anima. At this point the primary shock was over, and now some woman had gained enough of their sense to faint and some small infants and babies started to cry with fear of the enormous being that had rested on the ground. Slowly and with building confidence the village leader slid through the crowd to the edge of the temple where the being rested on the side of the hill outside.
The temple had been created with no walls; as if the centuries old architect had created the building with its purpose of being a celestial conference centre already concreted in his mind as he drew up the plans.
'We welcome you, O'mighty Protector Anima to our humble land'. The village leader bowed as he addressed the Deity, the rest of the villagers following his steps - their beaded and feathered bracelets and necklaces gently chiming as they lowered their foreheads to the ground. Vanille remained standing behind the pillar, peaking out at the glowing creature. The Fal'Cie did not answer.
'Um...uh...we have...gathered here today, Anima, to offer you two most magnificent warriors.'
'Very good humans', Anima began to speak, 'I am aware of your offer'. The crowd felt its almighty, booming, hollow voice sweep over their backs and were glad that the fal'Cie could not see their frightful faces bowed into the dirt.
'Yes, yes. Umm...well we haven't exactly had many volunteers. But we have had...one.' The village leader looked around, and then motioned for the volunteer to step forward. Slowly and calmly with an effortless confidence, Fang stood up and walked towards the Fal'Cie. She looked up towards Anima before bowing and addressing the being.
'O'mighty Anima, it would be an honour to serve you in this war'.
'Fang, No!' A cry came out from amongst the crowd. A hushed murmur picked up as a petite girl pushed her way to the front. Vanille stepped out in front of the audience, Fang, and the God. 'Fang please, don't do this!' The desperation and pain in her eyes was heart-breaking for Fang to see.
'Vanille...I-' The tanned woman began but was cut off prematurely.
'Oerba Dia Vanille. It is good to see you came to the meeting'. The audience became silent as the Fal'Cie addressed the girl who dared to cause a commotion in the presence of their Protector. Vanille looked up at Anima. Standing close to the being, its glowing green light was almost blinding in the dimness of the rising sun. 'Yes. Dia Vanille. It is important that you are here. You see, my people, I am not here to ask you for two volunteers'.
What? No volunteer. Can this be true?
'No, I am actually here to demand two sacrifices'. The village remained silent. They knew that this was coming anyway. 'Of which I have already chosen'.
As the fal'Cie said this, Fang and Vanille dropped to the ground, their heads held in agony. The crowd looked on in shock as the pair struggled through the painful vision of their task; a whisper of the two girls transforming, a flicker of the beast they will become, and an explicit view of Cocoon being smashed to pieces; people and homes burning and falling to the ground slowly like the ashes they will become. Then both their visions eased into glorious pain-releasing darkness.